Local Food Promotion Program
Established in 1862, the Department of Agriculture serves all Americans through anti-hunger efforts, stewardship of nearly 200 million acres of national forest and rangelands, and through product safety and conservation efforts. The USDA opens markets for American farmers and ranchers and provides food for needy people around the world.
Program Accomplishments
Not Applicable.
Uses and Use Restrictions
Two types of applications will be accepted under the Program.
The first type of application will be for planning grants and the second type of application will be for implementation grants.
Applicants cannot be awarded both grants in the same grant cycle.
Use of funds is based on documented needs and item justifications.
LFPP grant funds cannot be used to pay for the purchase, repair, rehabilitation, or construction of a building or structure; acquisition of land; political or lobbying activities; or any activities prohibited by 7 CFR parts 3015 and 3019.
Additional detail and cost comparisons, analysis, and justification must be provided for any purchase that is expected to exceed $5,000.
Eligibility Requirements
Applicant Eligibility
Agricultural cooperatives and other agricultural business entities (including community supported agriculture networks or associations) local governments, nonprofit corporations, public benefit corporations, economic development corporations, regional farmers market authorities, Tribal governments, or other entities as the Secretary may designate.
Projects and applicants must be owned, operated, and located within the 50 States, the District of Columbia, and the U.S.
territories (American Samoa, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Guam, Puerto Rico, and U.S.
Virgin Islands).
Beneficiary Eligibility
Producers, local and regional food business enterprises, buyers, and consumers.
Credentials/Documentation
Applicants must provide documentation as to how they meet the definition of an eligible entity and be registered with www.SAM.gov to submit their application via Grants.gov. This program is excluded from coverage under OMB Circular No. A-87.
Aplication and Award Process
Preapplication Coordination
Preapplication coordination is required.
Environmental impact information is not required for this program.
This program is eligible for coverage under E.O.
12372, "Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs." An applicant should consult the office or official designated as the single point of contact in his or her State for more information on the process the State requires to be followed in applying for assistance, if the State has selected the program for review.
Application Procedures
This program is excluded from coverage under OMB Circular No. A-102. This program is excluded from coverage under OMB Circular No. A-110. Applicants for the planning and implementation grants must submit form SF-424 and SF-424B, an eligibility statement, written proof of eligibility, a narrative description of the proposal, a supplemental budget summary, and any supporting documents such as letters of commitment. Matching funds are required in the form of cash or an in-kind contribution in an amount equal to 25 percent of the total cost of the project.
Award Procedures
Applications are reviewed by qualified reviewers and approved or disapproved by the Agricultural Marketing Service in competition with other applications received. Grantees are notified of the amount awarded by allotment notification. Grant payments are made on an advance and reimbursable basis.
Deadlines
Contact the headquarters or regional office, as appropriate, for application deadlines.
Authorization
Section 5 of the Farmer-to-Consumer Direct Marketing Act of 1976, Public Law 94-463, as amended by Section 10003 of the Agricultural Act of 2014, Public Law 113-79.
Range of Approval/Disapproval Time
From 120 to 180 days. Annual application deadlines are posted in Grants.gov and on the Agricultural Marketing Service website at www.ams.usda.gov/lfpp.
Appeals
Not Applicable.
Renewals
Not Applicable.
Assistance Considerations
Formula and Matching Requirements
Statutory formulas are not applicable to this program.
Matching Requirements: Percent: 25.%. Matching funds are required in the form of cash or an in-kind contribution in an amount equal to 25 percent of the total cost of the project.
This program does not have MOE requirements.
Length and Time Phasing of Assistance
Planning projects are not to exceed 12 months. Implementation projects are not to exceed 24 months. See the following for information on how assistance is awarded/released: Grant payments are made on an as-needed reimbursable basis over the grant period. Advance payments may be requested.
Post Assistance Requirements
Reports
Program reports are not applicable.
Cash reports are not applicable.
No progress reports are required.
Awardee report requirements are specified in grant agreements.
No performance monitoring is required.
Audits
No audits are required for this program.
Records
Grantees and sub-grantees must keep all records relating to the grant for 3 years from the date the SF-425 is submitted to the Agricultural Marketing Service.
Financial Information
Account Identification
12-2500-0-1-352.
Obigations
(Project Grants) FY 13 $0; FY 14 est $15,000,000; and FY 15 est $15,000,000
Range and Average of Financial Assistance
For planning grants, the minimum grant request is $5,000; maximum grant request is $25,000.
For implementation grants, the minimum grant request is $25,000; maximum grant request is $100,000.
Regulations, Guidelines, and Literature
Guidelines for the Local Food Promotion Program are posted at http://www.ams.usda.gov/lfpp or may be obtained from the Local Food Promotion Program contact.
Information Contacts
Regional or Local Office
None.
Headquarters Office
Nicole Nelson 1400 Independence Avenue SW, Washington, District of Columbia 20250 Email: Nicole.Nelson@ams.usda.gov Phone: 202-720-2188
Criteria for Selecting Proposals
Project selection is based on several factors, including how well the proposed project will accomplish the Program objectives, quality of proposal, and impact on project beneficiaries.
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